{"id":866542,"date":"2019-01-29T14:24:45","date_gmt":"2019-01-29T20:24:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?p=866542"},"modified":"2019-04-16T08:51:19","modified_gmt":"2019-04-16T13:51:19","slug":"heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-vintage-cast-iron","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-vintage-cast-iron\/","title":{"rendered":"Here’s What You Need to Know About Vintage Cast Iron"},"content":{"rendered":"Everyone knows cast iron only gets better with age. So it makes sense that vintage cast iron is some of the most sought-after cookware. Heirloom pieces are generally thinner, lighter and smoother than today's products; that makes them easier to handle and season<\/a>. Cast from high grade virgin ore, and poured and finished by hand, vintage cast iron had some amazing craftsmanship.\r\n\r\nIf you want to bring your favorite skillet cobbler<\/a> or creamy mac and cheese<\/a> to the next level, try making them in a vintage cast iron skillet. Here's everything you need to know to get your hands on one.\r\n\r\nMaster cast iron cooking with our guide.<\/a>\r\nWhat is considered vintage cast iron?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nJust because you find cast iron in your grandma's kitchen cabinet, doesn't necessarily mean it's vintage. Only cast iron made between the late 19th and mid-20th century is considered \"vintage.\" That's basically anything produced before 1957. Most cast-iron goods from this time period were made by just a handful of companies:\r\n\r\n \tBirmingham Stove & Range<\/li>\r\n \tGriswold Manufacturing<\/li>\r\n \tLodge<\/li>\r\n \tSidney Hollow Ware<\/li>\r\n \tWapak Hollow Ware<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nIf these names are stamped anywhere on the pan, it's a good sign you're looking at a vintage piece.\r\n\r\nPro Tip: <\/em>\"Made in the U.S.A.\" wasn't stamped on cast iron pans until after <\/em>automated manufacturing was the main form of production. If you see this, it's probably not vintage.\r\nWhat is vintage cast iron worth?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nIf you're familiar with antique shopping, you know there are a number of factors that can affect the worth of any item. Cast iron is no exception.\r\n\r\nThings like the rareness of the piece and the condition are factors. But for reference, an early Griswold or Wagner item can bring hundreds, if not more than a thousand dollars, if it's in near perfect condition! Of course, if you're a savvy shopper, you can buy pieces at a much lower price point.\r\nWhere do you find vintage cast iron?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nYou'll find vintage cast iron pretty much anywhere you would look for other antique items. Check out flea markets<\/a>, garage and estate sales, antique stores, thrift stores, eBay, even Craigslist. As long as you know what to look for, you should be able to find a great vintage piece for a steal.\r\n\r\nPlus, the thrill of the search is a big part of what makes vintage collecting fun and rewarding. The same goes for vintage Fiestaware<\/a> or vintage Pyrex<\/a>.\r\nWhat should you look for?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nBefore you buy a vintage cast iron pan, make sure it is in fact vintage. Look for a stamped trademark or logo of the foundry that made the piece. This might be as simple as the name of the city where the pan was made, or a more elaborate script, logo or symbol.\r\n\r\nAnother thing to keep in mind is the condition of the piece. Avoid pans with obvious damage like cracks, warping, major rust or pitting.\r\n\r\nBut don't shy away from a pan that looks dirty\u2014you can easily restore it<\/a> using the right cleaning methods.\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tRecipes for Your Cast Iron Cookware<\/div>\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t1 \/ 64<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\r\n[dam-video dam-id=\"31826\"]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nSkillet Hasselback Sweet Potatoes<\/a>\r\nTreat your sweet-salty tooth! Sweet potatoes dressed with buttery, herby, garlicky goodness make for a stunning, delicious side dish. \u2014Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin\r\nGet Recipe<\/a><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Buttermilk Biscuits<\/a>You can make biscuits any day of the week with this simple 3-ingredient buttermilk biscuits recipe.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>One-Skillet Pasta<\/a>This recipe was given to me 25 years ago and remains a family favorite. It's a tasty twist on traditional spaghetti, and making a one-skillet pasta saves time on prep and cleanup, too. \u2014Susan Spence, Lawrenceville, VirginiaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Cornbread Dressing<\/a>This cornbread dressing starts by baking a batch of homemade cornbread. It\u2019s then crumbled up with a myriad of woody and savory herbs, vegetables, broth and even more bread, and baked to golden, crispy perfection.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Muenster Bread<\/a>Many years ago my sister and I won blue ribbons in 4-H with this bread. The recipe makes a beautiful golden loaf with cheese peeking out of every slice. \u2014Melanie Mero, Ida, MichiganGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Rhubarb Crisp<\/a>Make rhubarb crisp with strawberries in spring and apples in fall to enjoy a simple, year-round dessert.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Gnocchi Chicken Skillet<\/a>Stovetop chicken and gnocchi recipes like this one make for a homey dinner in a hurry. Personalize it with your own favorite sauce and seasonings. \u2014Taste Recipes Test KitchenGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Corn Cakes<\/a>These buttery corn cakes are bound together by wholesome, gritty cornmeal and bursting with whole corn kernels, pungent scallions, sweet red peppers and subtly spicy green chiles. A drizzle of maple syrup may seem out of place, but its caramelly tang ties everything together.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Hash Brown Pork Skillet<\/a>Add potatoes and veggies to leftover pork tenderloin for an easy, creamy weeknight supper in minutes! \u2014Taste Recipes<\/i> Test KitchenGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Pizookie<\/a>What's better than a chocolate chip cookie? How about a giant<\/em> chocolate chip pizookie!Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Beef Skillet Supper<\/a>Sometimes I'll make extra of this comforting, noodle-y supper to guarantee leftovers. It's a great take-along dish for work or school. Trim calories from the entree by substituting ground turkey for the beef and low-fat cheese for the full-fat cheddar. \u2014Tabitha Allen, Cypress, TexasGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Skillet Pork Chops<\/a>Skillet pork chops are the kind of hearty, comforting, fuss-free meal everyone needs to have in their repertoire. With just a handful of ingredients and one pan to clean up, it's an ideal weeknight meal.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Potato Pan Rolls<\/a>My family loves these rolls and requests them often. They don't take long to make because you use quick-rise yeast. \u2014Connie Storckman, Evanston, WyomingGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>German Apple Pancake<\/a>If you're looking for a pretty dish to make when having guests for brunch, try this. Everyone I've served it to has enjoyed it\u2014except for one time, that is, when my husband tried to make it following my recipe, which I'd written down incorrectly! If you don't leave out the flour as I did, it'll turn out terrific! \u2014Judi Van Beek, Lynden, WashingtonGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Old-Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese<\/a>Classic old-fashioned baked macaroni and cheese comes together with just a little patience and a lot of butter, milk and cheese. Let it bake until bubbly for the most comforting meal ever.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Macaroon-Topped Rhubarb Cobbler<\/a>Crumbled macaroons are a surprising addition to this cobbler\u2019s topping. We love that you can make the sweet treat in a baking dish or a cast-iron skillet. \r\n\u2014Taste Recipes Test KitchenGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Honey Walleye<\/a>My state is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, so fishing is a favorite recreational activity here. This recipe is a quick way to prepare all the fresh walleye hooked by the anglers in my family. \u2014Kitty McCue, St. Louis Park, MinnesotaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Chicken Burrito Skillet<\/a>We love Mexican night at our house, and I love to re-create dishes from our favorite restaurants. This burrito-inspired dish is ready for the table in almost no time! \u2014Krista Marshall, Fort Wayne, IndianaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Pizza Rolls<\/a>This cheesy, pepperoni-studded pizza rolls recipe is so much fun to make! Serve the handheld snacks with warm marinara as a party appetizer, or pair each roll with a side salad for pizza night with the family.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Skillet Herb Bread<\/a>We had a lot of family get-togethers while I was growing up. My grandmother, aunts and mom were all good cooks, and each had her own specialty when it came to bread. Mom's was my favorite\u2014she created this recipe more than 40 years ago. The flavors call to mind the taste of cornbread stuffing! \u2014Shirley Smith, Yorba Linda, CaliforniaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Eggs and Potatoes<\/a>Loaded with tender potatoes, semi-runny eggs and gooey cheese, this skillet eggs and potatoes recipe captures the perfect combination of flavors and textures. This recipe uses a single skillet to whip up a hearty meal in only 30 minutes.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Italian Sausage Veggie Skillet<\/a>We love Italian sausage sandwiches, but because the bread isn't diet-friendly for me, I created this recipe to satisfy my craving. If you like some heat, use hot peppers in place of the sweet peppers. \u2014Tina Howells, Salem, Ohio\r\nGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Sweet Potato and Egg Skillet<\/a>I try to incorporate nutritious sweet potatoes in meals as often as possible, especially with breakfast. I came up with this recipe to feed my family a healthy, hearty breakfast\u2014and it worked! \u2014Jeanne Larson, Rancho Santa Margarita, CaliforniaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Spicy Veggie Pasta Bake<\/a>My dad cooked with cast-iron skillets, so when I do, I remember his amazing culinary skills. I keep the tradition going with my veggie pasta. \u2014Sonya Goergen, Moorhead, MinnesotaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Chicken Fajitas<\/a>Sizzling chicken fajitas are super easy to make and full of flavor. The secret is in the skillet, which can go from stove to table for restaurant-quality presentation.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Cinnamon-Sugar Apple Pie<\/a>Cinnamon apple pie baked in a cast iron skillet<\/a> is a real stunner. This beauty, with its flaky, tender crust, also works in a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. \u2014Renee Schettler Rossi, New York, New YorkGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Sweet Potato Hash<\/a>Sweet potato hash might be the ultimate breakfast-for-dinner recipe. Loaded with sauteed vegetables, browned ham, soft eggs and cheese, it has all the flavors and textures you want, whether it's morning, day or night.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Turkey Biscuit Stew<\/a>This chunky stew makes a hearty supper, especially in the fall and winter. It'salso a great way to use extra turkey during the holidays. \u2014Lori Schlecht, Wimbledon, North DakotaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Pineapple Upside-Down Cheesecake<\/a>Make this pineapple upside-down cake and learn how simple ingredients like cream cheese, brown sugar and canned pineapple create a visually stunning and delicious dessert.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Kaiserschmarren<\/a>The story goes that when Austrian Kaiser Franz Josef's chef noticed that he always broke his pancake into small pieces before eating it, he began serving it that way. \u2014Erika and Peter Durlacher, Whistler, British ColumbiaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Grilled Catfish<\/a>Grilled catfish boasts a delicious flavor, especially when it's infused with spices and served with lemon and parsley.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Butternut Squash Rolls<\/a>These butternut squash rolls will add some subtle vegetable goodness and fun fall color to your dinner table.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Salmon Linguine<\/a>Our salmon linguine recipe is incredibly delicious and just as easy to make and takes less than 30 minutes to whip up the entire thing. This tasty linguine dish features bites of broccoli, salmon, capers, garlic and basil in a scrumptious homemade cream sauce. Parmesan cheese adds a little extra tang to the dish for added flavor. Enjoy!Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Deep-Dish Sausage Pizza<\/a>My grandma made the tastiest snacks for us when we stayed the night at her farm. Her wonderful pizza, hot from the oven, was covered with cheese and had fragrant herbs in the crust. Now this pizza is frequently a meal for my husband, our family and me. \u2014Michele Madden, Washington Court House, OhioGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Deconstructed Pear Pork Chops<\/a>You\u2019ll be tempted to eat this main dish right out of the pan but try to resist. These chops are sure to wow guests at the dinner table. \u2014Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, WisconsinGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Sausage Patties<\/a>These quick and easy-to-make sausage patties are loaded with flavor thanks to ground sage, spicy peppers and just enough sugar to balance everything out.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Pinwheel Steak Potpie<\/a>On cool nights, nothing hits the spot like a steaming homemade potpie\u2014especially one you can get on the table fast. The pinwheel crust on top has become my signature. \u2014Kristin Shaw, Castleton, New YorkGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Chicken Cacciatore<\/a>This chicken cacciatore recipe is simple\u2014it\u2019s just chicken simmered with onions, bell peppers and mushrooms in a robust tomato sauce. But the ingredients combine to create a rustic stew with hearty, rich, complex flavors.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t